Sorry it took so long to update any of my stories guys. Like I said on my profile and that one shot I did, I've been really busy and not had time to write. However two stories have been updated today and the rest will follow shortly I promise!

Chapter One

She sighed softly as the warm water soothed her body, letting her ignore the bruises for once. She made no move yet to reach for the shower gel or hair products sitting on the small shelf beside her but instead, leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes, as her skin soaked. It was strange to think that, whenever she took a shower, she was reminded of the first time she had met Sephiroth…

She looked down at the basket on her arm, pleased with the day's progress and deciding that she had sold enough flowers for the moment. With her happy mood, she began walking down the street to the café just ahead where she could speak to Cloud, Yuffie, and Tifa, three friends from her schooldays. She looked up with a groan as she heard thunder echoing and quickened her step, hoping that she could miss the shower. However, she could not and before she had ran more than five steps, the heavens opened, soaking her. She let out a surprised gasp at the cold water dripping on her skin and roughly pushed her soaking bangs from her face. Looking down, she could see her flowers drooping from the water weight and decided that she needed to get moving fast.

As she turned around, she collided with a man, the force sending her to the ground and spraying the flowers from her basket. A wail escaped her lips as she looked at them all spread out in front of her, some drifting down the newly made river in the roads.

"I'm sorry, Miss," a smooth voice said before a hand came into view.

Frowning, she looked up into eyes as green as her own and she had to suppress the amazed gasp that fought against her lips. The man was undeniably handsome and from his posture and voice, she would say he was full of manners too. Slowly, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet, giving a small smile of thanks. He bent down and picked up the basket, putting the flowers that were near to him inside it and handing it back to her.

"I really am sorry," he insisted, his hand going into his pockets.

The woman just shook her head and opened her mouth to say there was no real problem when he pressed something cool into her hands. Looking down, her eyes widened as she saw the money in her hand, a ten-pound gil coin.

"Oh, you don't need to do…" she began but he interrupted her.

"I insist," he replied, looking her straight in the eye and making her blush.

She managed a small smile of thanks before bowing her head and moving forwards to the door of her friend's café but before she could push the door open, the man had spoken again.

"I don't recall your name,"

She blinked as he turned towards her, his body language signally he was waiting for an answer. The woman let her hand drop from the handle as she stared at him.

"Aeris Gainsborough," she said, extending her hand. He grinned and brought his own forward to shake it.

"Sephiroth Hojo,"

She sighed again as she scrubbed herself down and lathered the shampoo into her hair. Things had been so simple then and she couldn't understand what had changed. She hated what he did to her and thought he was messed up in the head but still she must be crazy too if she had lived so long with it. She couldn't leave though. There were too many factors preventing her. She wanted to so badly, God knows she had thought about it several times but as she began planning it without him noticing, he would always come home with flowers or chocolates or place a simple peck on her cheek in greeting. The truth was, she still loved him no matter how messed up he was because really, he could be sweet and gentle most of the time.

Recently, she had convinced herself that it was just his mind and once they got help for it, everything would be okay. She wanted more than anything to believe that he could change but if she ran away, she would never be able to see the man she had fallen in love with again. She knew he was there somewhere…

She reached out for her towel, quickly drying herself and wrapping a towel around her hair before throwing on her clothes. She held up a buttoned pink dress that she had gotten for her last birthday from Cloud. She had not worn it much but she didn't really understand why. It was, after all, a perfectly nice dress for everyday wearing plus many accessories would match it.

She slipped it on, doing up the buttons before she walked into the bedroom and let her hair out. She left the towel to hang from her shoulders to stop the hair soaking her back as she plugged in her hair dryer and laid out her pink ribbon and hair bobble(also from Cloud) on the bed.

She brushed her hair as she moved the dryer, wincing every time she was met with resistance until finally her locks looked silky and fresh. She flicked it over her shoulder and reached to switch the hair dryer off before she began tying the ribbon at the top and bringing it forward to tie the locks in a thick braid, held at the bottom with the bobble.

No sooner had she twisted it around when the doorbell rang, the shrill sound causing Aeris to jump slightly. She gave a small sigh as she stood up and raced to the window to see who it was. She smiled as she noticed the blonde spikes and slipped on some pink flats before she made her way down the stairs and undid the lock and bolt at the top of the door.

"Hey, Cloud," she greeted. Cloud turned to her and was about to reply when he frowned. Aeris mirrored the action in confusion and silently asked him what the matter was. He looked up, catching her eyes before he looked down again.

"What happened to your arms?" he asked.

Aeris blinked before she looked down at the bruises all down her arm. Had she not covered them? She looked back up at Cloud and gave a small smile and a shrug.

"You know what I'm like when I'm drunk," she replied while she rolled her eyes. Cloud smiled a little and nodded his head.

"I keep telling you to slow down but you never listen. Now do you see why?" he answered. Aeris laughed and moved aside to let him in.

"Yes, Dad," she teased as she led him through to the kitchen. "Tea?" she asked. Cloud shook his head.

"Nah, I've served enough coffees and teas to put me off them for a long time," he sighed as he sat down at the small, rounded kitchen table. Aeris smiled and picked up the kettle, pouring some water in before placing it back and pressing the button to boil it. She walked to the fridge to get the milk out, casting a glance at Cloud as she did so.

"How is Yuffie then? She still working at the café too?" she asked. Cloud nodded and placed his head in his hand.

"Yeah, she's still as hyper as ever. Reno still comes in and tries it on with her…a lot."

Aeris giggled as she prepared her cup and she turned to face him, leaning against the counter.

"I think he does like her really," she mused, turning back around when the kettle clicked, signalling that it was ready. She poured her tea and gave it a quick stir before she sat down opposite him, blowing gently over the hot drink.

"And how are you?" she asked, her voice dropping slightly to one tinged with sympathy. Cloud sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"Well…you know…" he trailed off with a wave of his hand, his eyes looking around the small, room. Aeris gave a small smile and placed her cup down on the mat.

"Have you written to her at all?" Cloud shook his head and looked back at her. She brushed her bangs from her eyes and placed her head on her hands.

"Cloud, has it even occurred to you that this is hurting Tifa just as much as it is hurting you? Just because she has wanted this all her life it doesn't mean it was an easy choice to make. Perhaps you should write to her,"

"Yeah, you're right," he said after a moment before he added teasingly, "As usual,"

"Yep, I'm Aeris the Agony Aunt," she replied with a wink.

"You're wearing the dress and hair things I bought you," he stated, tilting his head to the side. Aeris smiled a little and gave a small shrug.

"Yeah, I know. I don't wear them often enough," she answered as she took another sip from her tea. Cloud continued to study her for a moment before he nodded and gave a small smile.

"They suit you," he said eventually. She smiled in thanks and gave a small sigh.

"Are you still selling flowers then?" he asked.

"Uh-huh," she answered. "Though it hardly pays the bills,"

"I suppose Sephiroth is the money maker then?"

"The majority of it, yes," she answered softly trying to suppress the small frown that was appearing on her brow. Cloud did not seem to notice it as he tilted his head to the side.

"Hey, Aeris I hope you're not after his money," he joked. Aeris blinked at him before she glanced at the clock.

"I just remembered I had to go into town," she said suddenly, jumping to her feet. Cloud sat back in shock as he stared at her running form. He got to his feet and walked quickly after her as she struggled to put her coat on.

"Hey, Aers I was only joking," he assured her, moving to place a hand on her shoulder but she moved away and threw him a quick smile.

"Oh I know I've just got to go into town," she replied opening the door. Getting the hint, Cloud walked out and as he turned to say goodbye she was already out in the streets.

"Tell Yuffie I'll catch up with her sometime! See you soon Cloud," she called as she raced around the corner. Cloud stayed where he was for a moment before he took his phone out and dialled.

"Yuffie, the weirdest thing just happened,"